Never Say Never (13 page)

Gareth signaled the clerk to come over.

“What are you doing, Gareth?”

“Wouldn't you like to try the necklace on?”

Charlotte knew what he was doing. She was going to have to stop letting him know what she liked since he had bought the things she had liked the most.

“Charlotte, let me do this. It's been so long since I had a woman to buy things for. It gives me pleasure to make you happy.”

When the woman took the necklace out of the case and placed it on top, she added drop earrings with beads to match. “These would look good with it.”

“Yes, they would.” Gareth undid the clasp on the chain and placed the cool metal and stones around Charlotte's neck. “It looks good on you.”

The clerk held up a mirror, and Charlotte turned one direction, then the other to get the full effect. She liked the way the largest bead nestled at the base of her throat.

Gareth signaled the clerk to leave. “Since the black coral was believed to be lost, but then was found again, this can be a symbol of our love for each other. We have lost our first loves, but God is giving us a new love to replace it. You must let me buy them for you.” He picked up the earrings and handed them to her.

Charlotte took off the colorful painted hoops she wore and slipped the golden posts into her ears. They did look good. She turned her gaze up toward his intense blue eyes. “Thank you.” She wanted to kiss him, but with the woman hovering just out of earshot, watching their every move, she let her gaze express what she felt.

❧

After Charlotte arrived home in Bedford, she had two days to get unpacked and ready to pick up Chelle from the airport. The taste of Gareth's last kiss still lingered on her lips, reminding her of the new love that filled her heart. Every time Gareth had a break since she left, he called her. The phone conversations were wonderful, but Charlotte wished she were back on the
Pearl of the Ocean
with him. He had a little over two months until his next three months off. She could hardly wait for that time to come. Here she was an almost forty-year-old woman, and she felt like a teenager in love.

When Chelle's plane landed, Charlotte waited by the luggage carousel. The youth group streamed through the rotating door, and Chelle ran to hug her mother—a very different scenario from the last time they arrived at DFW Airport.

“Did you have a good time?” Charlotte patted Chelle's cheek. “I missed you.”

“Mom, we talked on the phone at least every other day.”

“I know, but I missed you anyway.” Charlotte noticed that Chelle's arm was still around her back.

“A lot happened to me on the trip.”

Charlotte looked for injuries, but saw none. She must have frowned.

“I'm not hurt, Mom.” Chelle pulled away and turned in a complete circle. “See. What I'm talking about is inside me. God has really worked on my heart.”

Chelle did look different. More mature somehow. Charlotte was glad she had agreed to this trip.

“So let's sit down, and you can tell me.”

Chelle did drop into a chair beside her mother, but nervous energy kept her from sitting still. “I'm not sure I can talk about it right now. Maybe after we're home and things settle down.” She stared at her mother. “I just wanted you to know that you'll see changes in me.”

Charlotte relaxed against the back of the chair. “That's good.”

Chelle hadn't stopped looking at her mother. “There's something different about you, too.”

“I had a really good time on the cruise.”

“I'm sure you did without a problem teenager to keep up with.” Chelle laughed, taking the sting out of her comment.

“You weren't a problem.”

“Of course I was.” Chelle leaned back and looked to see if any luggage had come up to the carousel. “So what kind of room did you have?”

“You would have loved it. I was in what they call the Penthouse Suite.”

❧

In the week since Charlotte left the ship, Gareth called her every day. Finally, they were back in Galveston, so he could take all the time he wanted to talk to her. He first called her cell phone, but that went to voice mail. After leaving a message, he called the house phone.

“H–hello.” A sob divided the word.

“Chelle, is that you?” Of course it was the teenager, but something was wrong. “What's the matter?”

The girl's sobs had continued during his questions. “I—I just got home and found Mother—she's hurt! I don't know what to do!”

“Calm down, Chelle. Don't hang up!” He had to keep her on the line until he could find out what was wrong with Charlotte. Fear held his heart in a vicelike grip. “Now talk slowly and tell me what happened.”

“She's on the floor.” Chelle took a deep breath that ended in another sob. “She must have been cleaning the ceiling fan and fell off the step stool. I think she hit her head on the hearth. Her head's bleeding, and she's not awake.”

Gareth wanted to jump through the phone and magically be there with them. “Have you moved her?”

“No, I was afraid to. I was looking for the phone to call 9-1-1 when it rang.”

“Good girl.” He let out the breath he had been holding. “Is your cell phone turned on?”

“Yes.”

“Don't hang up this call, and use your cell phone to call 9-1-1.”

Thirteen

Gareth hadn't felt so helpless since he found out that Britte had advanced cancer. He couldn't dwell on that now.
God, please don't let Charlotte's injury be severe. I'm not sure I could take that so soon after our declaration of love.
At least Chelle had kept him on the line until the paramedics arrived. She even repeated what the men said to each other. The men hadn't liked the fact that Charlotte had not come to. He didn't either. Now they were on the way to the hospital.
Lord, please help me get to Charlotte somehow. I feel so helpless here. I know You're in control, and I believe You brought us together. Make it all work.

Gareth couldn't stay here and wonder what was happening. He picked up his cell phone and punched in the number to the dispatching office at Voyageana. “Dirk, I have a problem. Is there anyone available to take over this cruise for me?”

“Let me check the computer.” The familiar businesslike voice of the main dispatcher didn't sound as though it came from another country. “You're in luck. One of our substitutes lives in Houston, and he's not on another ship. I'll call him and get back to you. Is the problem something we can help you with?”

“I'm going to try to get a helicopter to take me to the Dallas-Fort Worth area as soon as possible. A very close friend was in an accident.” Gareth felt his voice soften on the words
very close friend.
He hoped Dirk didn't notice.

“Hold off on that until I have an affirmative from the other captain.”

The call abruptly disconnected, and Gareth stared at the display screen. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait long. Patience was a virtue, but not one he had mastered yet. He picked up the ship's internal phone and called the bridge.

“Homer, Charlotte has had an accident. I've called headquarters. They're trying to get you a substitute for this week.”

“You can go ahead and leave if you want to.” His first mate must have understood how upset Gareth was. “I'll wait for him to arrive.”

Gareth rubbed the back of his neck and rotated his head. “Dirk said to wait to make arrangements until he gets back to me.” Just then his cell phone rang. “I've got to go. That might be him.”

“Van den Hout here.”

“You're in luck, Gareth.” Dirk's voice sounded more cheerful than last time. “Not only was Captain Hodges home, he has a friend who owns a helicopter. They'll fly down to Galveston, and the friend will take you to wherever you need to go.”

The heavy weight on his heart lifted just a fraction. “Thank you.”
How like You, God, to come through in a crisis with more than I ever imagined. That “thank you” was meant for You, too.

Dirk gave him a few further instructions and hung up. Gareth had written down the name of the hospital where the ambulance took Charlotte. Harris H. E. B. He turned around to the computer and did a Web search of the name to get the phone number. The receptionist gave him all the information he needed. At least Chelle had the presence of mind to put his name down as a person who could receive information about her mother. What a relief that the hospital had a helipad and had assured him that he would be cleared to land when they arrived. After getting the coordinates to give to the pilot, Gareth quickly tossed some clothes into a bag. He wasn't sure how long he would be gone, so he threw in a few extras.

Everything happened quickly. In a little less than two hours, Gareth thanked the pilot and strode toward the front entrance of the hospital. Thankfully, the helipad was at ground level, instead of on the roof as with some hospitals. He knew August was the hottest month in Texas, but he hadn't ever experienced this kind of heat. On the coast, the ocean breezes lowered the temperature from the one hundred and six degrees he had noticed on a sign at a bank they flew over. He hadn't felt any air movement since he left the helicopter, and sweat beaded his forehead and ran down his back, plastering his shirt to him. When the double glass doors swooshed open, he welcomed the cool air.

“I need the room number for Charlotte Halloran.”

The woman behind the tall wooden counter looked up from the papers spread out in front of her. “And what is your name, sir? I have to see if your name is on the list of people who can receive information about this patient.” After he answered, she punched a few keys on the computer keyboard. “She's being taken care of right now, but her daughter's in the waiting room.” She pointed to the hallway that stretched behind him. “It's the first door on the right past the elevators.”

When he reached the walls of windows that lined the hallway on both sides, he saw Chelle. She sat with both elbows on the armrests of her chair and her head in her hands. He quickly crossed the room and dropped into the chair beside her. She lifted her head.

“Captain! What are you doing here? I thought your ship would leave today.” She straightened and pushed her long hair behind her ears.

“It'll sail soon, but without me. I had to come see about Charlotte.” He studied her expression, trying to gauge her reaction.

She gave a tremulous smile. “I'm glad you're here.”

“Are you really?” The answer to that question might be a precursor for things to come.

She nodded without hesitation.

Not wanting to look as if he were overpowering her, he relaxed against the back of the chair. “Have you heard anything from the doctor yet?”

With a look of sadness and a little fear in her eyes, Chelle shook her head. “I keep hoping he'll come soon. There was so much blood on the floor.”

Gareth had expected that someone would be with the girl, but no one sat nearby. “So did you call anyone to meet you here?”

“No. I wanted to wait until I knew how badly she was hurt.” She heaved a huge sigh.

“Chelle, you shouldn't have been waiting alone. Isn't your neighbor a very good friend?”

A doctor stepped through the doorway, and Chelle watched him expectantly until he called out another name. “She wasn't home, so I just came by myself.”

Gareth wanted to pull the girl into his arms and comfort her, but he didn't know how she would react. He already loved her like the daughter he never had, since he and Charlotte had discussed her several times since the cruise.

“Did you call the church? Surely someone from there could have been here with you.”

Tears pooled in big blue eyes, so like her mother's. “I didn't even think about it.”

“I will be here as long as I'm needed.”

Chelle turned a weak, watery smile toward him. “Thank you, Captain. I don't know why, since I was such a problem on your boat.”

Gareth laid his arm across the back of her chair without touching her. “Let's forget about that, shall we? You and your mother have worked it all out, haven't you?” One of these days he'd explain to her the difference between a boat and a ship, but now was not the time.

She nodded. “But I'm ashamed of what I did.”

“Remember, we're going to forget about it. I will if you will.” He opened his eyes wide, cocked his head, and looked straight at her. “Do you think you could call me Gareth instead of Captain?” He liked this newer, softer Chelle.

“Is anyone from the Halloran family here?” The masculine voice intruded into their conversation.

They had been so engrossed that they hadn't noticed the man enter the room. Both of them jumped up and hurried toward him.

“Mr. Halloran?”

Gareth almost laughed, but he wasn't sure Chelle would appreciate it. “No, I'm just a good friend, but this is her daughter.”

Chelle stepped between him and the man in the green scrubs. “How is my mother?”

“I'm Dr. Bruton. I was on duty when your mother was brought in.” He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at Chelle. “Mrs. Halloran isn't hurt as badly as it looked from all the blood. Even superficial head wounds bleed a lot. She has a cut on her scalp. I had to shave a small space around the wound so I could put in the stitches, but at least the scar will be covered with her hair. She did sustain a concussion from the blow, so I want to keep her here overnight. Sometimes head wounds are tricky. I just want to be on the safe side, and the insurance company agreed.”

Gareth was glad the doctor took the time to explain so much to Chelle. She needed it. He had watched her, and some of the tension in her shoulders slowly relaxed while the doctor talked to her and the deep grooves between her eyebrows softened.

“When can I see her?” Chelle's voice didn't sound as wobbly as before.

“We'll have her in a room pretty soon. The nurse will come give you the number when we know for sure what it is. She can take you to the room to wait.” He held out his hand to the teenager. “Let me know if you need anything else from me.”

After shaking his hand, Chelle watched the man exit then turned to look up at Gareth. “He was nice, wasn't he?”

“Yes.” Gareth put his hand behind her back to steer her to the chairs they had occupied before. “Could I get you something to eat or drink?”

She fingered the hem of her T-shirt. “I'm not hungry.”

“Have you had anything to eat today?” Gareth thought she looked pale and wan.

“I spent the night with a girlfriend, and her mom fixed us a big breakfast before I went home. It wasn't so long ago, because we stayed up almost all night talking, so we slept pretty late.” Chelle studied his face for a long moment. “Do you need something? It's after noon now.”

“I can wait.” He wasn't going to leave the girl alone again, and he'd had a good breakfast, too, even though it was very early that morning.

A nurse came through the doorway. “Halloran family?”

Chelle jumped up and raised her hand above her shoulder. “Right here.”

The nurse continued toward them. “Your mother's room is 304. Would you like to go up there now?”

Chelle nodded and the woman led the way.

After the nurse left them at the room, Gareth offered Chelle the most comfortable chair and took the straight one. “I guess all we can do now is wait.” He leaned forward and propped his forearms on his thighs.

“Capt–um, Gareth, or should I call you Mr. Van den Hout?” Chelle grinned at him.

“No. Gareth is fine. I hope we can be friends.”

“You told the doctor that you were. I assumed you meant Mother's friend. Do you want to be mine, too?”

Well, she didn't mince words, did she? “I'd like that.”

She stood up and went to the window to open the blinds. “No wonder Mother likes you so much.” She turned around and leaned against the windowsill.

“Do you mind?” Gareth hadn't been ready for this conversation, but maybe now was as good a time as any.

“I did at first, and you know it.”

Silhouetted against the slats of bright sunlight streaming through the window, her expression was hidden from him. Gareth cleared his throat. “But I told you I choose to forget, remember?” Was this a test?

“Yes, you did. That just shows how nice you really are. And I like the changes I see in Mother. She acted like an old woman this past year, and I know why. I felt some of that, too. I miss Daddy. I'll never stop missing him.”

Gareth stood up and put his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “You shouldn't. . .but it will grow less painful over time.”

A nurse stuck her head in the doorway. “Mrs. Halloran will be here in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.” Gareth and Chelle answered in unison; then they smiled at each other.

When the door closed behind the nurse, Chelle stood up straight. “Has Mother told you what happened to me in Mexico?”

“Yes.” He rubbed a finger across his forehead. “You do know we talk on the phone almost every day.”

Chelle nodded.

“What do you think about that?”

“Gareth, what are your intentions toward my mother? I don't want her to be hurt.” Chelle sounded stern.

Once again, the teenager surprised Gareth. “What if I told you I want to marry her?”

“Do you?”

“Would it be all right with you if I did?”

“I know there would be lots of things you have to work out for it to happen, but if you can do that, then I'm for it.” She turned earnest eyes toward him. “Does that surprise you?”

“Yes, I thought it would take longer to convince you.” Gareth smiled.

“A man who would drop his job, a very important job, and come to see about my mother must love her very much.” Chelle held up one finger, then a second. “A man who cares about her teenage daughter, even though she has been bratty around him, is a good man.” A third finger went up. “Mother told me that you are a Christian, and not just in name only. Those are three things in your favor. You aren't going to want her or me to forget my father, are you?”

“Of course not!” Gareth's exclamation bounced off the walls of the small room, so he modulated his tone. “And I won't forget my first wife either. The love I feel for your mother is different, but equally as strong, and because of her, I love you, too, Chelle.”